Cigar News
TAMPA, FL - Fuente Cigar Limited has won a 2 1/2 year hard fought and heavily litigated trademark struggle with winemaker Opus One, a partnership of Robert Modavi Investments and B PhR (California), Inc. - a Rothschild company.  Federal District Court Judge Susan C. Bucklew ruled on June 10, 1998, in favor of Fuente.  The ruling clearly indicated no infringement whatsoever by Fuente.  Carlos Fuente, Jr., President of Fuente Cigar Limited, is elated with Judge Bucklew's decision.  "The Opus One suit came as a total surprise to us.  We carefully followed each step in the trademark registration process, and no objection was raised by the Trademark Office, by Opus One, or by anyone at the time.  We always passionately believed we were right, which is why we fought for the past 2 1/2 years.  It is gratifying to see that the Judge agreed with us."  Although the demand for the Fuente Fuente Opus X cigar is nationwide, it is available at only approximately 300 authorized retail stores located east of the Mississippi River.  Because of limited availability of the extremely rare tobaccos used Fuente is unable to meet the demand for this desirable premium cigar.  "Our greatest hope is to make enough Fuente Fuente Opus X cigars to make them available to more and more cigar smokers", says Carlito, "however, we will never rush the hands of time."
 

CHICAGO, IL - Blue Havana Smoke Gallery announces an arrangement to carry the first Cuban cigars to be legally sold in the U.S. since the institution of the trade sanctions in the early 1960's.  "The Cuban cigar has always been the cigar smoker's Holy Grail, " says Mark Thomas, owner of Blue Havana.  "For flavor, construction, and mystique Cuban cigars have stood alone.  The discovery of this tobacco, (Rosado Corojo Pinar, for the Pinar del Rio region of Cuba) in 1997 in a defunct factory building in Trenton, for use as the filler as well.  PINAR 1958 is a rare treat.  Only 14 bales, 4,200 pounds of the 40 year old beautiful read leaf was found.  For info call:  773/B-HAVANA.

NEW YORK, NY - Cigar Expo 3 at the Jacob Javits Center October 22-25, 1998.  Open to the public and the tobacco industry.  For info call 800/239-7209.

MEMPHIS, TN - The King Lives!  Memphis Blue introduces the newest addition to celebrity cigars.  The ELVIS PRESLEY cigar will make its debut at this year's RTDA show and collectors in Japan are already placing orders.  The cigar is fully sanctioned by the Presley estate with Priscilla Presely's blessing.  To order call 901/624-5400.